Dan Mariska & the Boys Choir (album release)

On Dan Mariska's sophomore outing, Bummer Songs, the promising 22-year-old makes the leap to fully realized talent. With backing band the Boys Choir and veteran producer Knol Tate (ex-Askeleton), the album sounds triumphant even if Mariska's lyrical sentiments are anything but. "I should probably stay inside for the rest of my life/That seems to work all right," he sings. Still adept at channeling the sardonic spirit and skewed guitars of '90s college-rock, Mariska impresses most when he steps out into unfamiliar terrain, as on the heartfelt mid-tempo acoustic number "Company." With Faith Boblett, the Crash Bandits, and Blue Green. 18+.
Thu., Dec. 5, 8 p.m., 2013